Shortlet Check-In Day: Arrival, Keys and Codes

On shortlet check-in day, you tell your host you have arrived, they hand over the keys, and they approve your check-in. Your door code and Wi-Fi password then appear on your stay page. Here is each step, and what to do if something goes wrong.

This guide is for stays booked on Cabans. It covers the day before, the moment you arrive, keys and codes, and what to do if you cannot reach your host. Still choosing a home? Find a shortlet you can book online.

Is it self check-in?

People often search for “self check-in”. It means letting yourself in, usually with a door code or a key box, without meeting anyone. It is handy when you arrive late or want privacy.

On Cabans, your host always approves your check-in first. How that feels depends on the host:

Some hosts meet you. They hand over the keys, show you round and then approve your check-in.
Some approve from their phone. You press “I have arrived”, the host approves, and you let yourself in with the door code. That is close to self check-in.

Either way, Cabans never sends the door code by email or text. You see it on your stay page while you are checked in. That keeps the home safe for you and for the next guest.

The day before: what to read

Open your stay the day before you travel. On the web, go to My Account, then “My Stays”, then your stay. Read these parts:

“Your stay guide”. Under “Getting there and checking in” you find the address and the host’s directions. “House rules” tells you what is and is not allowed.
The check-in time. Your stay page shows it, for example “Check in from … 14:00”. Hosts can set their own times.
“Your ID”, if it shows. Some homes ask guests for ID. Upload a clear photo or a PDF of your passport, driving licence or national ID card, up to 10 MB. Only your host and the Cabans team can see it, and your host can open it only until 30 days after check-out. It is kept securely for up to 6 years, as data laws require, and then deleted.

Then get ready for the trip:

Plan your route and allow extra time for traffic.
Send your host your arrival time with “Message your host”.
Charge your phone and keep some data. You need your stay page to see the codes.
Save the address and your booking number where you can find them offline.

How to find your stay in My Stays shows where everything is. Not sure which ID to bring? See what ID you need to book a shortlet.

Telling your host you have arrived

When you get to the property, open your stay page. You will see a card called “Arriving”. It says to tell your host you are here so they can hand over the keys.

Add a short note in “Message for your host” if it helps. For example: “at the gate with two bags”.
Press “I have arrived”.
You see “Your host has been told you are here.” The host also gets an email.

The button works from the day before check-in until your check-out date. Before that, the page tells you the first day you can use it.

Next you see “Waiting for your keys”. Your stay page checks for news every 20 seconds, so you do not need to keep refreshing it.

Keys and check-in

Check-in has two steps. Your stay page shows which one you are on.

Step 1: “Keys handed over”

The host gives you the keys. You are now partly checked in. You can read the house rules and arrival notes, upload your ID and message your host. You can also send two kinds of request: “Report an issue” and “Something else”.

The door code, the Wi-Fi password and the stay shop stay locked for now. They say “Available after the host completes your check-in”.

Step 2: “Checked in”

The host approves your check-in. Some hosts do this straight after you arrive, and skip the keys step. You get an email saying you are checked in, and your stay page says “You are checked in”.

Now everything opens:

your door code and Wi-Fi password;
all the stay services, such as a cleaner or fresh towels;
the stay shop, if the host sells extras;
“My bill” and “Leaving”.

Before approving, the host may check your ID and count the guests. Make sure everyone staying was in the booking. How to arrive and check in shows both steps.

When your door code appears

Your stay page has a card called “Door code and Wi-Fi”. The Wi-Fi network name shows from the day your booking is confirmed. The password and the door code show only once you are fully checked in.

Tap “Show door code and Wi-Fi password”.
Tap “Copy” next to what you need.
Tap “Hide”, or wait. The codes hide again after a minute.

The codes show until the host confirms your check-out, and never after 2 hours past the check-out time. Keep them to yourself. Do not share them in group chats or on social media.

If the code is not there, the page tells you why:

“…appear here once your host completes your check-in.” The host has not approved your check-in yet.
“Your host has not added a door code or Wi-Fi password.” Message the host.
“…cannot be shown at the moment.” Message the host, who can give them to you.
“…no longer shown.” Your stay has been checked out.

Your door code and Wi-Fi explains each message, and door codes and smart locks for shortlets explains how hosts set them up.

If you cannot reach your host

Phones die and hosts get stuck in traffic too. If nobody answers, work through these steps calmly:

Stay safe first. Wait somewhere secure and well lit, such as the estate gate or a security post.
Message your host from your stay page. The chat works at every stage of your stay.
Read your stay guide again. The directions may say where the keys are or who to ask at the gate.
Check you pressed “I have arrived”. That is what tells the host you are there.
Contact Cabans through the contact page if you still cannot reach the host. Give your booking number.

Never pay extra money at the gate to someone who says they speak for the host. Ask the host to confirm it in the chat first. You have already paid for your stay online.

Arriving late or early

Arriving late at night? Tell your host before you travel. Ask how late the gate is open and who will let you in. Read arriving late at a shortlet for what to do.
Arriving early? Ask your host well before the day. Another guest may be leaving that morning, and the home needs cleaning first.
Plans changed? Message your host as soon as you know. A short note saves a long wait at the gate.

For the usual times and how to ask for a change, read shortlet check-in and check-out times explained.

Check-in day, step by step

Read your stay guide the day before. Open My Stays, then your stay. Read “Your stay guide” for the address, directions and house rules. Upload your ID if the host asks for it.
Tell your host when you will arrive. Send a short message with your arrival time and how you are travelling, so the host can be ready.
Press “I have arrived” at the property. On your stay page, add a note if you like, such as “at the gate with two bags”, and press “I have arrived”. Your host is told straight away.
Get the keys. The host hands over the keys and your stay shows “Keys handed over”. Some hosts skip this step and approve your check-in from their phone.
Wait for the host to approve your check-in. When the host approves it, you are checked in. You get an email to say so. Your stay page updates by itself.
Show your door code and Wi-Fi password. On your stay page, tap “Show door code and Wi-Fi password”. Copy what you need. The codes hide again after a minute.

Planning your next trip? Browse shortlets in Lekki, Ikeja or Abuja, and look for a booking box on the listing. See how booking a shortlet online works. Own a flat guests would love? List your short let.

Frequently asked questions

What is self check-in?

Self check-in means you let yourself in, often with a door code, without meeting anyone. On Cabans, your host approves your check-in first. Some hosts do that from their phone as soon as you arrive, and you then let yourself in with the door code on your stay page.

When can I press “I have arrived”?

From the day before your check-in date until your check-out date, on a confirmed booking. Press it when you actually get to the property, so your host knows you are there.

Why can’t I see my door code?

Your door code and Wi-Fi password appear only after your host completes your check-in. If you have the keys but no code yet, the host has not approved your check-in. If the host has not added a code at all, message them.

Will my door code be sent by email or text?

No. For your safety, Cabans never sends door codes or Wi-Fi passwords by email or text. You see them on your stay page while you are checked in. If they cannot be shown there, your host can give them to you in the chat.

What should I do if my host does not answer?

Wait somewhere safe, such as the estate gate. Message your host from your stay page and check the directions in your stay guide. If you still cannot reach them, contact Cabans through the contact page and give your booking number.

Do I need ID to check in to a shortlet?

Only if the property asks for it. If it does, your stay page shows a “Your ID” card where you upload a passport, driving licence or national ID card. Only your host and the Cabans team can see it, and your host can open it only until 30 days after check-out. It is kept securely for up to 6 years, as data laws require, and then deleted.

Can I check in early?

Only if your host agrees. Your stay page shows the check-in time. If you will arrive before it, ask the host in a message well before the day.

Take the next step

Keep your research practical: search for property in Lagos, compare live options for properties in Lagos, or list your property on Cabans to reach active buyers and renters.

Not ready yet? Get an email when new listings go up in Lagos.

Is it self check-in?

People often search for “self check-in”. It means letting yourself in, usually with a door code or a key box, without meeting anyone. It is handy when you arrive late or want privacy.

On Cabans, your host always approves your check-in first. How that feels depends on the host:

Some hosts meet you. They hand over the keys, show you round and then approve your check-in.
Some approve from their phone. You press “I have arrived”, the host approves, and you let yourself in with the door code. That is close to self check-in.

Either way, Cabans never sends the door code by email or text. You see it on your stay page while you are checked in. That keeps the home safe for you and for the next guest.

The day before: what to read

Open your stay the day before you travel. On the web, go to My Account, then “My Stays”, then your stay. Read these parts:

“Your stay guide”. Under “Getting there and checking in” you find the address and the host’s directions. “House rules” tells you what is and is not allowed.
The check-in time. Your stay page shows it, for example “Check in from … 14:00”. Hosts can set their own times.
“Your ID”, if it shows. Some homes ask guests for ID. Upload a clear photo or a PDF of your passport, driving licence or national ID card, up to 10 MB. Only your host and the Cabans team can see it, and your host can open it only until 30 days after check-out. It is kept securely for up to 6 years, as data laws require, and then deleted.

Then get ready for the trip:

Plan your route and allow extra time for traffic.
Send your host your arrival time with “Message your host”.
Charge your phone and keep some data. You need your stay page to see the codes.
Save the address and your booking number where you can find them offline.

How to find your stay in My Stays shows where everything is. Not sure which ID to bring? See what ID you need to book a shortlet.

Telling your host you have arrived

When you get to the property, open your stay page. You will see a card called “Arriving”. It says to tell your host you are here so they can hand over the keys.

Add a short note in “Message for your host” if it helps. For example: “at the gate with two bags”.
Press “I have arrived”.
You see “Your host has been told you are here.” The host also gets an email.

The button works from the day before check-in until your check-out date. Before that, the page tells you the first day you can use it.

Next you see “Waiting for your keys”. Your stay page checks for news every 20 seconds, so you do not need to keep refreshing it.

Keys and check-in

Check-in has two steps. Your stay page shows which one you are on.

Step 1: “Keys handed over”

The door code, the Wi-Fi password and the stay shop stay locked for now. They say “Available after the host completes your check-in”.

Step 2: “Checked in”

The host approves your check-in. Some hosts do this straight after you arrive, and skip the keys step. You get an email saying you are checked in, and your stay page says “You are checked in”.

Now everything opens:

your door code and Wi-Fi password;
all the stay services, such as a cleaner or fresh towels;
the stay shop, if the host sells extras;
“My bill” and “Leaving”.

Before approving, the host may check your ID and count the guests. Make sure everyone staying was in the booking. How to arrive and check in shows both steps.

When your door code appears

Tap “Show door code and Wi-Fi password”.
Tap “Copy” next to what you need.
Tap “Hide”, or wait. The codes hide again after a minute.

The codes show until the host confirms your check-out, and never after 2 hours past the check-out time. Keep them to yourself. Do not share them in group chats or on social media.

If the code is not there, the page tells you why:

“…appear here once your host completes your check-in.” The host has not approved your check-in yet.
“Your host has not added a door code or Wi-Fi password.” Message the host.
“…cannot be shown at the moment.” Message the host, who can give them to you.
“…no longer shown.” Your stay has been checked out.

Your door code and Wi-Fi explains each message, and door codes and smart locks for shortlets explains how hosts set them up.

If you cannot reach your host

Phones die and hosts get stuck in traffic too. If nobody answers, work through these steps calmly:

Stay safe first. Wait somewhere secure and well lit, such as the estate gate or a security post.
Message your host from your stay page. The chat works at every stage of your stay.
Read your stay guide again. The directions may say where the keys are or who to ask at the gate.
Check you pressed “I have arrived”. That is what tells the host you are there.
Contact Cabans through the contact page if you still cannot reach the host. Give your booking number.

Never pay extra money at the gate to someone who says they speak for the host. Ask the host to confirm it in the chat first. You have already paid for your stay online.

Arriving late or early

Arriving late at night? Tell your host before you travel. Ask how late the gate is open and who will let you in. Read arriving late at a shortlet for what to do.
Arriving early? Ask your host well before the day. Another guest may be leaving that morning, and the home needs cleaning first.
Plans changed? Message your host as soon as you know. A short note saves a long wait at the gate.

For the usual times and how to ask for a change, read shortlet check-in and check-out times explained.

Check-in day, step by step

Read your stay guide the day before. Open My Stays, then your stay. Read “Your stay guide” for the address, directions and house rules. Upload your ID if the host asks for it.
Tell your host when you will arrive. Send a short message with your arrival time and how you are travelling, so the host can be ready.
Press “I have arrived” at the property. On your stay page, add a note if you like, such as “at the gate with two bags”, and press “I have arrived”. Your host is told straight away.
Get the keys. The host hands over the keys and your stay shows “Keys handed over”. Some hosts skip this step and approve your check-in from their phone.
Wait for the host to approve your check-in. When the host approves it, you are checked in. You get an email to say so. Your stay page updates by itself.
Show your door code and Wi-Fi password. On your stay page, tap “Show door code and Wi-Fi password”. Copy what you need. The codes hide again after a minute.

Frequently asked questions

What is self check-in?

When can I press “I have arrived”?

From the day before your check-in date until your check-out date, on a confirmed booking. Press it when you actually get to the property, so your host knows you are there.

Why can’t I see my door code?

Will my door code be sent by email or text?

What should I do if my host does not answer?

Do I need ID to check in to a shortlet?

Can I check in early?

Only if your host agrees. Your stay page shows the check-in time. If you will arrive before it, ask the host in a message well before the day.

Related guides

Take the next step

Keep your research practical: search for property in Lagos, compare live options for properties in Lagos, or list your property on Cabans to reach active buyers and renters.

Not ready yet? Get an email when new listings go up in Lagos.